South Australia Shadow Minister for Investment and Trade Tim Whetstone

SA At Risk Of Losing $12 Million Almond Investment As Victorian Government Announces Funding

Victor P Taffa

South Australia is at risk of losing one of the most important horticultural research and development investments in the past decade with the Victorian Coalition today committing $12 Million to an Almond Centre of Excellence should it win the November election.

The Almond Board of Australia has put forward a business case for an Almond Centre of Excellence to both the South Australian and Victorian Governments, seeking financial support for the state-of-the-art research facility.

Shadow Minister for Investment and Trade Tim Whetstone said South Australia must now commit to funding the Centre of Excellence or risk losing the $12 Million investment interstate.

“The Weatherill Labor Government has had plenty of opportunity to provide funding for the Almond Centre of Excellence and secure the project in South Australia.” Mr. Whetstone said.

“Now, the Victorian Coalition has committed $12 Million for the capital works of the Centre of Excellence at Irymple and recurrent funding of research staff.”

“The Centre is set to be the envy of researchers and scientists in the nut industry and it is simply outrageous that South Australia could lose this investment interstate because of the Weatherill Labor Government’s inaction.” Mr. Whetstone said.

“The Weatherill Labor Government has continually wound back funding for horticultural research and development and establishing the Centre of Excellence was a prime opportunity to cement South Australia as a world leader in this field.”

“South Australia needs a Government that is willing to invest in growing the horticultural industry, creating jobs and increasing exports.”

“Instead South Australians will now be left wondering why the Weatherill Labor Government refused to support one of the most important horticultural opportunities presented to this State in the last decade.” Mr. Whetstone said.